Your neck & back comprise 33 bones called vertebrae, along with discs in between, which together protect your spinal cord, enabling you to stand and bend. The spinal column has five sections with a certain number of vertebrae in each.

These sections include:

• Cervical spine (neck) with seven vertebrae
• Thoracic spine (upper back) with 12 vertebrae attached to the ribs and sternum (breast bone). This is the most stable part of your back.
• Lumbar spine (lower back) with five vertebrae. This section of your back carries the most weight and allows for the most motion, making it the most prone to problems.
• Sacral region (bottom of the spine) with five vertebrae fused together at the base of the spine; they help make up your pelvis.
• Coccygeal region (tailbone) with four small bones at the bottom of your spinal column.

Neck & back pain is one of the most common reasons people see an orthopedic surgeon like Dr. Peter Dipaolo.